Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Financial sanctions and other forms of economic coercion have become policy tools of choice for the US government to deter illegal activity by international actors or to pressure governments into reversing actions that harm US interests. Yet these instruments and their potential pitfalls are often misunderstood. Restrictive economic measures such as financial sanctions, export controls, tariffs, and investment screening can play an important role in advancing certain policy objectives, but they risk being ineffective if misapplied or poorly implemented. Policymakers must also recognize the impact of economic statecraft on the private sector, which bears many of the compliance burdens and operational costs associated with these measures.

Energy Sanctions Dashboard

This dashboard focuses on US sanctions and restrictive measures placed on crude oil from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela—including the unintended consequences and the lessons learned.

Econographics

Apr 17, 2025

Russia Sanctions Database

By Kimberly Donovan, Maia Nikoladze, Lize de Kruijf

The Atlantic Council’s Russia Sanctions Database tracks the level of coordination among Western allies in sanctioning Russian entities, individuals, vessels, and aircraft, and shows where gaps still remain.

Eastern Europe Economy & Business

Recent analysis

O’Toole quoted in Marketplace about sanctions on the Taliban

Econographics Sep 16, 2025

The Supreme Court’s decision on Trump tariffs will have lasting impact on US economic statecraft

By Stephanie Connor

Regardless of how the Supreme Court rules, the case will shape US economic policy for years to come.
Economy & Business Trade and tariffs
O’Toole quoted in Marketplace about sanctions on the Taliban

New Atlanticist Mar 28, 2024

The axis of evasion: Behind China’s oil trade with Iran and Russia

By Kimberly Donovan, Maia Nikoladze

Beijing has developed a way to import Iranian and Russian oil while bypassing the Western financial system and shipping services.
China Economy & Business
O’Toole quoted in Marketplace about sanctions on the Taliban

Testimony Feb 21, 2025

Kimberly Donovan testifies to the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission on the Axis of Autocracy

By Kimberly Donovan

On February 20, Economic Statecraft Initiative Director Kimberly Donovan testified to the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission at a hearing titled, “An Axis of Autocracy? China’s Relations with Russia, Iran, and North Korea.”
China Economy & Business

Programs

At the intersection of economics, finance, and foreign policy, the GeoEconomics Center is a translation hub with the goal of helping shape a better global economic future.

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Content

In the News

Aug 17, 2021

O’Toole quoted in Marketplace about sanctions on the Taliban

By Brian O’Toole

Read the whole article here.

Afghanistan Economy & Business

In the News

Aug 17, 2021

O’Toole quoted in Wall Street Journal about blocking dollar transactions with the Taliban

By Brian O’Toole

Read the whole article here.

Afghanistan Economy & Business

In the News

Aug 16, 2021

Slavin quoted in Nikkei Asia on Raisi’s relations with China

By Atlantic Council

China Defense Policy

In the News

Aug 16, 2021

Azodi quoted in Deutsche Welle on what to expect from Iran’s new president

By Atlantic Council

Corruption Defense Policy

In the News

Aug 16, 2021

Nooruddin quoted in Barron’s: Pakistan Spent Decades Expanding Its Economy While Entangled in the Afghan Taliban

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Economy & Business

In the News

Aug 12, 2021

Slavin quoted in Al Jazeera Arabic on negotiations of the Iran nuclear deal

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Arms Control

New Atlanticist

Aug 11, 2021

Nord Stream 2: How to make the best of a bad idea

By Daniel Fried, Richard L. Morningstar, András Simonyi

The United States and Germany must work hard and fast to push back against Russia’s weaponization of energy.

Europe & Eurasia European Union

New Atlanticist

Aug 10, 2021

Biden’s empty posts are a national security problem

By Brian O’Toole

The administration’s inaction on filling positions at the State and Treasury departments translates into real-world problems on everything from energy to rogue regimes to the US financial system.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion National Security

BelarusAlert

Aug 9, 2021

The new US sanctions on Belarus: Strong, but not enough

By Daniel Fried, Brian O’Toole

A reasonable set of targets, the sanctions are welcome news for the Belarusian opposition. But are they powerful enough to rattle President Lukashenka?

Belarus Eastern Europe

In the News

Aug 7, 2021

Slavin joins Alhurra to discuss a collective response to Iran’s attacks

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Corruption
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Experts

Staff

Nitansha Bansal

Associate Director

Cyber Statecraft Initiative

Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity

Fellow

Ryan Berger

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

Americas Cybersecurity

Fellow

Chris Brummer

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

Digital Currencies Economy & Business

Fellow

Michael Carpenter

Distinguished Fellow

Eurasia Center Europe Center

Eastern Europe National Security

Fellow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Fellow

Claire Chu

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

China Chinese
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